British Colonial Furniture
BRITISH COLONIAL STYLE
Typically made of mahogany, teak or bamboo and featuring a range of fabrics and prints with botanical patterns, antique British Colonial furniture and decor varies as it involved local materials and techniques and spanned centuries of design styles.
As the British Empire expanded from the 16th to the 20th century, its conquest and control of colonies around the world bolstered its wealth through the extraction of resources. Including colonies in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia, this spread of often violent subjugation imposed British culture, language and faith on Indigenous peoples. The design of homes was included in this expression of imperial power, with government officials, merchants and military officers creating homes mimicking the luxuries they were used to in England.
Local artisans were commissioned to replicate British designs, resulting in versions of Regency, Chippendale, Sheraton and other styles of furniture being crafted from mahogany, rosewood, ebony and teakwood as opposed to beech and oak, which were more common in Europe. Whereas the colonial furniture for the Portuguese and Dutch regularly had motifs of indigenous flora and fauna, the British tended to want more exact reproductions of their home country’s designs.
To escape the summer heat in places such as India and the Caribbean, British colonizers relocated to airy houses in the hills or plantations, leading to foldable chairs and collapsible desks in the style of military campaign furniture. Rather than upholstery as they might have in Europe, chairs and sofas in the British Colonial style had rattan and cane seating for these higher temperature climates. The contrast between the light textiles and the dark colors of the sturdy furniture became a defining aesthetic of British Colonial interiors.
Find a collection of antique British Colonial outdoor furniture, seating, bedroom furniture, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
Style: British Colonial
Color: Brown
20th Century Ebony British Colonial Two-Door Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 20th century British Colonial solid ebony two-door display cabinet, from Sri Lanka.
Category
20th Century Sri Lankan British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Ebony
Original Framed Jacobs Cream Crackers Card Poster, from Dublin
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Original framed Jacobs cream crackers card poster, from Dublin
This is delightful original advertising sign, showing a happy young lady in period dress on the telephone telling us , “yes please Cream Crackers and they must be Jacobs”
The sign is color printed on card, it is in good condition and set in its own original frame, it has W&R Jacobs...
Category
1930s Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Jockey Scales from Market Rasen Racecourse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Avery brass height and weight standing jockey scales from Market Rasen Racecourse
This is a very rare set of 19th century Jockey scales, it was made by W & T Avery Birmingham...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Distressed Antique Turkish Rug with British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74991, distressed antique Turkish rug with British Colonial style 10'03 x 15'07.?? With its casual elegance and lovingly timeworn appear...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Faux Tortoise Bamboo Stands with Magazine Racks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British Colonial style end tables or stands with a faux tortoise finish over a turned wood faux bamboo frame. Featuring tooled brown leather panels, distinctive brass hardware, magaz...
Category
20th Century Philippine British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Faux Bamboo
Red Lacquered Chest on Stand 19th Century, British India, 1860
Located in Epfach, DE
Red lacquered chest on stand 19th century, British India, 1860
Very charming 19th century chest with wonderful lacquered and gilt flower dec...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century British Colonial Jakwood and Ebony Trunk
Located in Pasadena, CA
A 19th century British Colonial trunk comprised of jakwood and ebony. The trunk features a central hardware piece and carved columns on the sides.
Category
Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Antique Rustic Anglo-Indian Candleholder
Located in Sheffield, MA
The large sculptural antique rustic Anglo-Indian candleholder made from architectural element. Carved hardwood with an indented metal disk and spike or pricket for candles with extra...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Rare Brown Antique Lounge Chair 'Le Surrepos Du Dr. Pascaud' Paris, circa 1924
By Dr. Pascaud 1
Located in Schagen, NL
This chaise longue is called le surrepos du Docteur Pascaud. It was manufactured in Paris, France, circa 1924 and features a natural beech frame, upholstered and covered with horse h...
Category
1920s French Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Beech, Leather
Handsome English 9-Drawer Mahogany Campaign Desk with Sage-Green Leather Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
In three pieces, with hand-tooled inset leather top above an apron fitted with 3 drawers; all resting on dual 3-drawer pedestals raised on bracket feet.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
British Colonial Wood Column on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom Stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, which stands just under 6.5 feet in hei...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Distressed Vintage Turkish Kilim Rug with Southern Living British Colonial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
50769, distressed vintage Turkish Kilim rug with Southern Living British Colonial style. This handwoven wool vintage Turkish Kilim rug features a central diamond surrounded by additi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Massive Pair of Early 19th Century Brass Candlesticks
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Massive pair of early 19th century English candlesticks.
Category
1810s English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Solid Silver Hall Marked Brandy Flask and Cup by Mappin Brothers, 1897
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A solid silver hall marked hip flask and cup by Mappin Brothers, 1897
A lovely rounded piece the body of the flask has a slight curve, the flask has a nicely engraved crest and th...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Silver
Antique Agra Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An oversize late 19th-early 20th century antique Indian Agra carpet. Large-scale Pigeons can be spotted on green colored ground.
Agra carpets combine the grandeur and grace of well-known Persian court antique carpet designs with new motifs of their own creation. Overall designs or central medallions of spiraling vinery are frequently combined with small animal forms, sometimes including birds, elephants or people. This particular piece has humans using bow and arrows...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Persian Pictorial Nain Rug
Located in New York, NY
Very finely woven Pictorial Persian Nain rug featuring a pictorial design on a crispy blue colored field.
Nain is a small village located in central Iran that has relatively recen...
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
19th Century British Colonial Ceylonese Satinwood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Early 19th century British Colonial cabinet of wide-paneled and figured solid satinwood with solid ebony trim. Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is one of the few places in the wo...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
Rare Folky Watercolor Drawings on Paper by L.J. Harboe, Priced Individually
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here are four rare and historically important watercolor drawings on paper of St. Croix. Painted in a topographical style by L.J.Harboe, effectively transporting us to a time and pla...
Category
19th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Paint
British Colonial Decorative Carved Wood Column
Located in Atlanta, GA
A single 19th century British Colonial carved wood column with custom stand. This antique hand carved wooden architectural element from India, whic...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Iron
Zabihi Collection Room SizeAntique Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
An authentic room size full pile antique Persian Sarouk rug.
Measures: 7'10'' x 11'9''.
Category
1920s Persian Vintage British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century Tufted Leather Foot Stool or Bench, with Raising Capabilities
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a fine, 19th century, brown leather, button tufted foot stool with mahogany frame and brass tacks over turned legs and brass wheels. Having t...
Category
1860s British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century British Colonial Satin Wood and Ebony Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
An exquisite 19th century British Colonial four-door cabinet in solid satinwood ebony and features remarkably beautiful carved molding designs of foliage throughout the exterior. The...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Satinwood
19th Century Black Lacquered Wood Pedestal with Red Stone Inset
Located in New York, NY
A black lacquered pedestal/stand in elm wood, with red root stone top, cabriole legs and base stretcher, Beijing, 19th century.
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Stone
Caribbean Mahogany Reeded and Barley Twist Four Poster Bed, Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Caribbean mahogany four-poster bed with a carved decorative scrolled spindle head board and foot board, complimented by four reeded and barley twist...
Category
1820s Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Pair of British Colonial Terracotta Lions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of British colonial terracotta lions. This majestic pair of painted terracotta lions from the early 20th century will bring an air of regalness to any room.
Category
20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Colonial Hardwood Table, 19th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique, 19th century hardwood table.
Of immense weight, carved from a single piece of hardwood, this exotic piece makes for an interesting side or lamp table.
The s...
Category
19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Caribbean Mahogany Tilt-Top Breakfast Center Table
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies center table has an English influence. This piece is published in " West Indian Antique Furniture of the Lesser Antilles...
Category
Early 19th Century Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
British Colonial Carved Teak Column with Granite Base
Located in Somis, CA
This extraordinary 88" tall column has its original granite base, is made out of solid teak wood featuring an elaborately carved crown. The crown is carved on all four sides with eac...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Granite
19th Century Anglo Ceylonese Specimen Wood Desk Companion Tray
Located in Dallas, TX
Another stunning 19th century Anglo-Ceylonese piece.
Made circa 1880 in Ceylon (Now Sri Lanka) of Coromandel wood and specimen woods.
This is a simply gorgeous and quality item!! Tray made of various compartments with various high quality specimen wood lids, all edged and banded in chevrons of bone, silver or pewter and ebony.
The tray itself is made of expensive coromandel wood. There are two open sections on either side of the tray which have bone and hand-painted lac ends. The main tray sits onto a base made of coromandel wood with green baize lining.
This tray could have a number of practical uses, for keeping stationary, watches, jewelry, or thinking outside of the box, holding you remote controls and candy!!
We have a matching box also in our Inventory and for auction.
ANGLO-INDIAN AND CEYLONESE BOXES: Anglo Indian boxes were made in India for the English residents from the early part of the 18th century. They were brought back or sent back to England usually by the people who had commissioned them. From the beginning of the nineteenth century they were imported more commercially, although not in any significant numbers until the middle decades. They were very highly valued, especially the early ones, to the extent that the designs were copied on late 19th and early 20th century tins.
Anglo-indian Boxes normally consist of 3 main types:-
(1) Most of the best and highest quality Anglo-Indian boxes in the 18th and 19th Centuries were made in Vizagapatam, India, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship in using ivory and tortoiseshell and lac decoration. These are referred to as ‘Vizagapatam Boxes...
Category
Late 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Wood
Traditional Turkish Oushak Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Turkish Oushak rug.
19'' x 20''
Category
20th Century British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Pair of Midcentury Bamboo End Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a pair of tables with a top composed of travertine blocks set in a herringbone pattern, in a maple frame with one drawer that seems to float on the unexpected bamboo base.
Category
20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
English Colonial Ebony Wood Games Table
Located in Stamford, CT
A ebony English Colonial games table having a folding top on center column and four cabriole legs.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ebony
19th Century British Colonial Wood Counter Game
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Curious mechanical lottery apperatice that has a hardwood spinning canister with pine cap and spout, supported by two turned mahogany posts on a round wood base with ball feet. The p...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Reverse Drawing of Moorish Architecture by Cathy Wiggs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Bold image of Moorish architecture executed with a unique technique, a reverse drawing on a sheet of Mylar or plastic. The effect is quite alluring and very much in the manor of the ...
Category
20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Plastic
Pair of Wooden and Leather Armchairs
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Pair of solid wood and tawny leather armchairs: subtle wood work for the structure, rounded and contoured lines, the cushions are removable and dressed in fawn leather. All in beauti...
Category
20th Century European British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Leather, Wood
18th Century Cherry Candle Stand Tea Table Tripod Pedestal Scallop Carved Top
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 18th century maple and cheerywood candle stand with tripod pedestal base and scallop carved top. Item features remarkable aged patina and desirable worm holes, tripod base, Q...
Category
18th Century American Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Cherry, Maple
Andrianna Shamaris Raffles Teak Wood Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rare. This beautiful teak wood colonial console has a single slab 2.5” beveled top.
The antique raffles console table is part of the antique collection, which represents an elegant line of antique teak...
Category
1810s Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
19th Century English Colonial Satinwood and Ebony Linen Press
Located in Southampton, NY
Early 19th century English Colonial satinwood and ebony linen press. Cabinet is composed of solid Satinwood with solid ebony trim and inlay.
Handmade in Sri Lanka, where both satinw...
Category
19th Century Sri Lankan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Satinwood
19th Century Tobagonian Specimen Wood Tripod Table Made for 1885 Exhibit
Located in Charleston, SC
An intriguing cedrela and rosewood tripod pedestal table from Tobago, circa 1885, featuring a specimen top with labeled exotic woods. The handwritten labels underneath catalog each o...
Category
19th Century Trinidadian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood, Cedar
Antique Persian Senneh Bibikabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular antique Bibikabad Persian Senneh rug from the 1st quarter of the 20th Century
Measures: 4'7'' x 6'6''.
Category
20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Rug Collection Turkish Sivas Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A finer quality early 20th century Turkish Sivas rug.
3' x 4'9''
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Colonial Crocodile Case on Custom Stand from the 1920s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A custom stand supporting a crocodile case from India in the 1920s. This case features a crocodile skin exterior with a cloth interior and numerous pockets. On the front are two basi...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Crocodile, Wood
Andrianna Shamaris Shell Inlay Teak Wood Colonial Chair
Located in New York, NY
Colonial reclining plantation chair. Perfect for inside or outside relaxation.
The St. Barts collection features an exciting new line of organic white wash and natural weathered tea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Shell, Wood, Teak, Reclaimed Wood
Tall Antique Indonesian Secretary with Glass Panels
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid 19th century. Polychromed wood, three shelves, two drawers. Ornately carved cabriole legs and trim with ball and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th C Jamaican Minature Spice Cabinet, attributed to Ralph Turnbull
Located in Charleston, SC
This Caribbean miniature demipress/spice cabinet was made in Jamaica in the 1830's and is attributed to Ralph Turnbull. This British Colonial piece is c...
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Coconut, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
Colonial Made Occasional Table, circa 1820
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An Indian Colonial occasional table in padouk wood on a carved stem and with three claw feet.
Category
Early 19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Padouk
Feminine Persian Antique Kerman Brown Pink Rose Accent Room Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
A highly decorative floral Persian rug with a formal presence. Caramel ground with hints of soft blues, raspberries, cinnamon and pinks,
circa 19...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wool
Barbados Mahogany Leather Top Rent Table with Sand Box Feet on Casters, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
Barbados mahogany leather top four drawer rent table with a turned bulbous pedestal resting on a tripod base with original sand box feet and brass casters. Early 19th Century
Category
1810s Bajan Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Nicholas James Neoclassic Mahogany Sideboard with Curtains and Mesh Doors
Located in Germantown, MD
A custom Nicholas James Mid-Century English neoclassical Walnut Side board / Buffet / credenza with Curtains and wire Mesh Doors in good vintage condition.Features three large compar...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wire, Metal
Early 19th Century William IV Ornate Rosewood Library Table on Scrolling Feet
Located in STOKE ON TRENT, GB
Early 19th century, William IV, Ornate Rosewood Library table on scrolling brass feet above castors with a large drawer to the front.
This high-qual...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century Chest Wrapped in Iron Straps with Brass Studs, India
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of Indian origin, this beautiful teak trunk is wrapped in iron and studded with brass accents in an intricate yet simple pattern. Fully functional for storage or use as a coffee or c...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass, Iron
British Colonial Style Demi-Lune Leather Top Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
British colonial style desk crafted in mahogany in a demilune form with a tooled tan leather top, four drawers and featuring bold turned an...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Ship Captain's Style Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
This fanciful copy of a ship captain's chest was hand-painted in the late 19th Century for the cottage furniture market. 2 over 3 drawers, turned feet, na...
Category
19th Century English Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wood
Baker Furniture Welsh Inlaid Oak Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional welsh style sideboard, credenza, or console
By Baker Furniture
USA, 20th century
Carved oak, with inlaid starburst marquetry and original brass hardware.
M...
Category
Late 20th Century American British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Caribbean British Colonial Mahogany Planter's Chair
Located in Charleston, SC
This West Indies solid mahogany planter's chair was made in the early 19th century in Martinique, circa 1820, in the British Colonial style and features the classical extending arms....
Category
19th Century Caribbean Antique British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Mahogany
Large British Colonial Style Rattan and Wicker Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large British Colonial style rattan and wicker urn, with carved wood finial, the domed top with intricate woven rattan, reed, willow and wicker, with a conf...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Furniture
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Reed, Wood, Willow
British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique British Colonial furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used British Colonial furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baker Furniture Company, Bloomingdale's, and Ralph Lauren. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $80 and tops out at $88,000 while the average work can sell for $3,161.
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